Episode 129 – Fluke Title Changes
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In this episode, I discuss short title reigns that made the champions look like fluke champions. I also review 2026 AAA Rey de Reyes Tournament card.
Update
Future episodes on Joe Stecher and Anton “Tony” Stecher
Andre Christol wrestled two legitimate contests with Edwin Bibby in late 1879.
Still not sure if Thiebaud Bauer wrestled a legitimate contest.
Fred Beell, small but powerful professional wrestler circa 1906 (Public Domain)
Main Content
Tommy Rich vs Harley Race on April 27, 1981
Shohei “Giant” Baba vs. Jack Brisco on February 12, 1974
At the end of 1906, Gotch worked a series of title matches with Fred Beell. Gotch working matches was not new, but Gotch dropped his American Heavyweight Wrestling Championship to Beell in the first match.
Gotch felt safe dropping the championship to Beell because they worked matches in the past. Gotch could also just take the title back from Beell in a contest if Beell tried to keep the championship.
The first match took place in New Orleans, Louisiana on December 1, 1906. The men wrestled at the Greenwall Theater in New Orleans. Beell won the controversial match.
Not so coincidentally, Gotch already had another match scheduled with Beell for Kansas City, Missouri on December 17, 1906. The rematch drew 8,000 fans to Kansas City’s Convention Hall.
Gotch regained his championship in two straight falls. Gotch won the first fall in nineteen minutes, sixteen seconds. Gotch won the second fall in thirty-eight minutes, sixteen seconds.
Recommendations
Vincent Lopez versus Man Mountain Dean from July 24, 1935 in Los Angeles- Could be the whole match
One Championship Fight Night 41: Sinsamut versus Jarvis (affiliate link) – Entertaining, eight bout card.
Early fight of the year candidate – Mason Jones versus Axel Sola from Fight Night:Evolev versus Murphy
Review
2026 Rey de Reyes Tournament on Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide contains spoilers
It Was Almost Real podcast art
Week One had all the biggest matches on the March 14th show. March 14th was the date of the actual show.
Flammer broke the Reina de Reinas record by defeating Bayley with help from the other members of Los Toxicas.
El Grande Americano defeated the Original El Grande Americano, La Parka, and Santos Escobar to win the Rey de Reyes this year. Americano earned a title shot against the Mega Champion.
In a shock development, Dominik Mysterio retained the AAA Mega Championship over El Hijo del Vikingo even with Omos’ interference.
Week Two started with a mixed tag that was okay. Nothing to write home about.
Pagano and Psycho Clown successfully defended the AAA Tag Team Championship against the War Raiders but also continued to forecast their eventual breakup by having an argument in the middle of the match.
A great presentation for El Grande Americano as the 2026 Rey de Reyes winner. Dominik Mysterio interupted and discussed the upcoming AAA Mega Championship match. The distraction allowed the Original El Grande Americano to attack El Grande Americano from behind.
Week Three started with a four way match for the AAA World Cruiserweight Championship won by the Laredo Kid. I already watched one four-way match this tournament, so I skipped to the end. Post match looks to be setting up a match between Laredo Kid and Rey Fenix.
The card ended with El Fiscal wrestled Abismo Negro, Jr. in a grudge match. El Fiscal is the son of the original Abismo Negro, who died by drowning in a river in Sinaloa in 2009. El Fiscal won but Abismo Negro, Jr. attacked El Fiscal after the bell.
Show ended with El Hijo del Vikingo promoting his match with Intercontinental Champion Penta.
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